Help! Love, MOM

Part 2 of 3 “The Smell of Hard Work and Success”

Two posts ago, we visited Naomi, who, having been providentially led by the LORD to return home to Israel from Moab during a God-provided harvest — for [Naomi] had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread, Ruth 1:6b — declared that the hand of the LORD had “gone out against her” and that she had returned to home “empty.”

In other words, according to The Gospel Coalition , Naomi shows that she “understood that her adversity was not due to chance or mere circumstance, but history was playing out according to the providence of God.”

Naomi, therefore, at this point, does not take a balanced view of God. Her sorrow paints God in punitive, pitiless, merciless cruel colors.

This attitude is a common in the minds of those in the midst of tragedies, failures, heartbreaks, and disasters.

If we are invited to do so, let us enter into these broken spaces with Christ’s gentle compassion and genuine kindness toward the wounded, the weak and the weary.

We ended with a question: What does waiting on God actually look like?

The LORD in the book of Ruth gives the context for at least 6 ways in which Naomi and Ruth demonstrated or benefitted from “waiting well.”

Let’s look at 6 ways in which waiting well is demonstrated in the book of Ruth: 3 now and 3 more next time.

Waiting Well Reveals Purpose

God in His sovereignty has given humans agency. We who are made in the image and likeness of God, that’s everyone, possess the ability to get “the job” done!

However the specifics of what “job” and why that particular one are crucial life questions.

Through waiting, the Lord, provides answers to the what and the why of our lives.

In Naomi and Ruth’s case, the purpose of their waiting was to bring the outsider, Ruth into the very heart of God’s plans. Through Boaz and Ruth – and others! – the heavenly Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus, would be born.

Also, in the nearer term, Ruth and Naomi received blessing and favor both in their now and next the bitterness and failures of the past. Their waiting was well rewarded!

Acknowledge Reality and Accept Help

When Ruth asked could she go to glean in a field, Naomi gave her permission. To glean was to pick up leftover grain; it was a form of social charity or relief for the very poor.

Naomi’s permission to do so was also a way for her to accept help and her current situation; that of poor, widowed woman.

It takes courage for one to accept that life has changed. It takes courage to accept that the LORD has allowed my life to change. We must agree with this reality and remain steady in body, soul and spirit despite the shift.

This is part of what waiting well demands.

Naomi’s permission may also signal a new relationship with Ruth. In the update, Ruth is not a daughter-in-law but a daughter.

The surrogate mother, Naomi, and the new daughter, Ruth, are “in it” together.

Do. The. Work.

Surprised? Yes, waiting well has a working well component.

After Naomi agreed to Ruth’s request to work to support them, Ruth completed the work of gleaning grain in the field. It is not enough to talk about work. We have to energetically and consistently do the work.

In Ruth’s case she worked so well that Boaz’s field supervisor’s commented on the fidelity of her work ethic. Would to God that His people would be known for their superior work ethic; not flashy but honest, dependable and earnest.

In this case the work was not especially or obviously spiritual. Ruth engaged in the mundane yet momentous work of breadwinner.

Biblically, work need not be glamorous to be great. Given by God from the beginning, work is inherently dignified.

Therefore:

• Search for the job.
• Figure out how to ask her out.
• Apologize.
• Attend the game.
• Ask for, then, work the extra shift.
• Apply for the grant.
• Meet with the team.
• Practice another hour.
• Rethink the plans.
• Do. The. Work.

Next post we’ll look at three more components of waiting well found in the book of Ruth

Blessings to you and to me as we continue to wait on the LORD.

Kimberly